South Dakota state cross-country champion Tony Smoragiewicz loves running in the cold. With the temperature hovering near 30 degrees in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Smoragiewicz seized third place in a field of 235 runners at the Foot Locker Regional Championship Saturday afternoon. Only two weekends ago, Smoragiewicz won the Nike Regional championship in Sioux Falls, but Foot Locker field included runners from twice as many states.

Smoragiewicz described the competition as “very, very strong”. Despite coming in third, his final time of 15:00:09 was a full 16 seconds faster than his winning time at the Nike, and 43 seconds faster than his state championship time at Huron a month ago.

Lukas Verbicas from Orland Hills, Illinois won Saturday’s Foot Locker regional with a time of 14:44:02. Verbicas is the reigning Foot Locker national champion, and was named Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year in ’09.

“The Kenosha course is my favorite.” Smoragiewicz reported on the drive home Saturday night. “It’s not on a golf course. The start of the course is uphill. It’s very steep. After 800 meters I was in 30th place.”

Smoragiewicz decided to make his move very early in the race. “Most of the race is a dirt trail in the woods. It’s very narrow and hard to pass, so I passed everyone before we got to the woods.”

The third place finish qualifies Smoragiewicz’s for the Foot Locker national championships at San Diego’s Balboa Park on December 11, and sets up a very busy three weeks for the Central High School junior.

Next Wednesday, Smoragiewicz and his parents will fly to the west coast to compete in the Nike national championships on December 5. He will then fly home, do a little homework, get in a few laps of triathlon swim training, and fly off to San Diego for the Foot Locker championships.